My mom delivered eight children without worrying so much about prenatal check-up and delivery costs. She gave birth to four of us at the comfort of our home, assisted only by a traditional birth attendant (a.k.a. hilot), who I wasn’t sure if licensed or not. This is no longer an option for me now.

Since 2013, home births have been discouraged by the Department of Health in order to reduce maternal deaths. The options of modern mothers are now limited to birthing facilities and hospitals.

So, how much are you supposed to shell out for prenatal care?

If you’re giving birth in a hospital under a Maternity Package, expect to pay for the following required lab tests, medical imaging, and vaccines during your pregnancy. The costs in every hospital vary. (At Perpetual Succour Hospital, pregnant women who avail their maternity package could get a 30% discount on Lab tests.)

Laboratory

1. Capillary blood glucose (CBG)
2. Blood Typing
3. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test (HBsAg)
4. Urinalysis (UA)
5. Fasting Blood Sugar Test (or FBS)
6. Random Blood Sugar lab test or RBS
7. Hemoglobin A1c or Glycated Hemoglobin test (HBa1c)
8. HIV/Syphilis Test
9. Pap Smear
10. Gestational Diabetes Test (24-28 weeks)

Ultrasound

1. TVS (transvaginal ultrasound)
2. Nuchal translucency – 11 – 14 weeks
3. Retroplacental sonolucent space (32 weeks)
4. CAS (22-24 weeks)
5. Doppler studies

Vaccines

1. Hepatitis B Vaccine (3 doses) – Php 1,000/dose
2. Flu Vaccine (1 dose) – Php 1,000/dose
3. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine = TDAP (1 dose) – Php 1,700/dose `

If there are complications such as detection of Gestational Diabetes, prepare to spend more money on a glucometer (P2,000-P4,000) and groceries (because you will need to eat healthy food).

Before I got pregnant, I wasn’t aware of these expenses. I hope this gives you an overview of how much you need to save for pregnancy care.

If you know more tests that I haven’t included here, please leave a comment below.